SEAC visits Team Osan

Published June 28, 2007
By Master Sgt. Steven Goetsch
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Osan hosted the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Sgt. Maj. William Gainey Thursday during his tour through the Pacific region. Enlisted leadership invited Sergeant Major Gainey to the base to talk to enlisted members about key issues.

Sergeant Major Gainey is the first to serve in this position that began Oct 1, 2005. The SEAC is tasked with providing the CJCS counsel on matters of professional development of enlisted personnel for a joint environment.

General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, established the position after he was nominated.

"General Pace wanted a battle buddy," said Sergeant Major Gainey. "He has had an enlisted advisor by his side since Vietnam."

One of the duties of the senior enlisted advisor is gathering feedback from the enlisted corps all over the world, and bringing that knowledge back to the Chairman.

"I have the luxury of going all over the world and going up to young Airmen, young Marines or young Soldiers and ask them what's on their mind," said Sergeant Major Gainey.

After some brief introductions, Sergeant Major Gainey told the crowd how amazed and special our mission here at Osan is.

"The slogan that you are fighting tonight is real. You are one of the few that train as you would fight," said Sergeant Major Gainey.

Sergeant Major Gainey took several questions from the audience that covered all aspects of military life including joint combat training, the changeover in senior leadership and troop reductions.

Since he represents all enlisted members, he had some valued information not just for Airmen, but all military members who serve their country.

"Only one percent of the U.S. population steps up and volunteers to serve in the military," said Sergeant Major Gainey. "That means you give 99 percent of the U.S. population their freedoms."

Sergeant Major Gainey also spoke about deployments and how joint training is improving the military and how it still lets the individual services keep their unique identities.

"When I was stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base, I received all kinds of Air Force training on managing budgets and people. That training didn't make me an Airman, it made me a better, smarter Soldier," said Sergeant Major Gainey.

With most of the chiefs, first sergeants and SNCO's on base in the room, he also gave some leadership advice.

"We need to be able to live what we are talking," said Sergeant Major Gainey. "It's important to let those troops see us doing it."

After he answered everyone's questions, Sergeant Major Gainey took time to hand out several coins to some of Osan's top performers. His last message and words of advice were echoed on the coins themselves, "Pride is Contagious."